TOSH starts Voye strong

Axemen beats Wolverines 24-5, Montague downs Charlottetown Rural 12-5

A very physical all-Prince County clash kicked off the 22nd annual David Voye Memorial rugby tournament on Thursday evening.

The host Three Oaks Axemen defeated the Westisle Wolverines 24-5 in what also counted as a Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association Senior AAA Boys’ Rugby League contest.

“The guys played well,” said Axemen head coach James Voye. “We played a game at Gray on Tuesday, and two games in three days is hard on the body. We reacted well, we defended early, we got on the board first and a goal for us was to try and score first. Credit to Westisle, they fought hard the entire game, came out ready to tackle and compete.”

Wolverines head coach Randy Harper said he was very pleased with what he saw from his team.

“We have worked extremely hard this season, and we have put a lot of work in over the past year,” said Harper. “We have a number of players who participated at the provincial level at (under-18) over the summer, and as a direct result of that I have seen huge improvements in my players.

“TOSH is a very dominant team, and is always a worthy opponent. Our game plan wasn’t so much come in and win, our game plan was to come in, perform and give them a run for their money. It was one of the better matches that we’ve had against them in a long time. I’m very proud of my boys, very pumped for the season ahead of us and can’t wait to see what happens.”

Cole Adams, Parker Arsenault, Ben Tanton and Ben Thompson counted tries for the Axemen. Kaleb Dawson kicked two converts. Derek Arsenault scored Westisle’s try.

Despite the result, there was a lot of positivity on the Westisle sideline throughout the game.

“I’m a firm believer that it’s 80 per cent attitude,” explained Harper. “So much about the game is about being pumped, being positive and putting your best foot forward.

“You can’t do that if your head is hanging down. Something I have worked on with my team as much as I can is to stay positive.”

A total of 28 teams – 16 girls and 12 boys – are taking part in the three-day tournament, which continues until the championship games Saturday afternoon. The Montague Vikings defeated the Charlottetown Rural Raiders 12-5 in boys’ action Thursday at Rural.

The Vikings scorers were unavailable, but Jackson Hogan had the Raiders’ try.